where there's a helpful smile in every aisle

HealthNotes

Healthnotes offers comprehensive, science-based health and lifestyle information.
Written with you in mind, Healthnotes answers the most commonly asked questions
with credible, easy-to-understand information — edited by physicians who review
over 550 scientific and medical journals to keep content current, factual, and balanced.

Related Topics

Style

There are two main styles, Fino and Oloroso. Within these two general categories are several subcategories. Lighter styles are typically fortified to around 15% alcohol while the richer styles are often fortified to around 20%.

Fino

Fino sherry is dry, light, crisp, and tangy and makes a wonderful aperitif. Flavors are typically mild yet distinctive and can include dried fruit, apples, and nuts.

Manzanilla is typically even drier, offering a bracing, salty tanginess due to being produced in the coastal town of Sanlucar. Flavors are similar to regular Fino.

Amontillado usually refers to an aged Fino and will be darker and richer with nutty toffee flavors and sometimes a hint of sweetness.

Palo Cortado is still dry but richer than Amontillado with notes of raisins, coffee, and mocha.

Oloroso

Oloroso sherry is darker and richer than Fino although most examples are still dry. Flavors include raisins, dried figs, prunes, coffee, dark chocolate, and toasted nuts.

Oloroso Dulce and Cream sherry are both moderately sweet dessert wines whose flavors follow closely to dry Oloroso with the addition of caramel and toffee notes.

The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2016.